Rimfire scope recommendations

I like scopes on any rifle used for most hunting endeavors, especially .22s, to be as light and as compact as practical. I have a Nikon "ProStaff" 4x-powered scope with a 50 yard parallax range mounted on a Remington Model 504 that I like a lot for squirrel and small varmint hunting.

Those are really nice rifles. What range are you planning on using the rifle on mainly? What's your budget? A max 8x or 10x scope should be plenty for most rimfire target distance. Weight is going to be a factor that's negligible. Main factors are price, glass quality, objective size, reticle type and warranty. Keep it simple for the uses you mentioned. Vortex scopes have a lifetime warranty.

Carne Vore said:

... I'm looking at maybe tops 50 yards for targets and plinking ...

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Well, I'm guessing you're going to want to stretch that out after a while, so look for something that'll do for you out to 200 yds.

I like having a scope with adjustable objective/parallax even for 22 rifles. It does help when you go from really close targets at 25 yards or closer then out to targets at 100 or more yards away. If the majority of your shooting is at 25 and 50 yards, you can get by with a fixed parallax set at 50 yards.

Another question. Are you planning on just hunting and plinking or will you also try shooting for the most accuracy?

For hunting and plinking; a fixed 4 power, 2-7 power, or 3-9 power scope with 50 yard parallax will be just fine.
If you are going for the most accuracy at different/multiple ranges then a higher magnification scope with adjustable parallax will be better.

I really like the Weaver Classic Rimfire scopes. Unfortunately the 3-9x32 seems to have been discontinued. That was my favorite one.

Clearidge Rimfire scopes are well liked by those that own them and get good press on Rimfire Central. I really like mine. Have had it for eight years now.
http://www.clearidgeoptics.com/ultra-rm-s/1814.htm

I normally use more magnification on my rimfire rifles, I have a Sightron 4-16X44 on one, and my last two 10/22 rugers I outfitted them with a Bushnell Forge 3-18X50, which I bought last year at 50% off. They are great optics. I am also outfitting a CZ in 22 magnum with a Bushnell Forge.
I like high power on my rimfire because it is what I use for targets and shot groups. I also shoot my 22's at 200 yards on all my range trips. So regardless what scope you buy, in my opinion the most important aspect beside the optics is that you have an adjustable objective (AO). Since I shoot long distance with them I also choose one that will give me the internal elevation adjustment to get me to 200 and further if necessary. So as a minimum at least 75 moa of adjustment so that I do not have to buy a 20 moa rail to mount it.

I've got a Simmons 4-12 ATV on my 457 right now, going to switch it for a Sightron stac I THINK.

The older Leupold 2-7x33 Rimfire scope was as good as they come. 7x is enough for placing headshots on small game at 50 yds.

The more recent Leupold VX-Freedom 2-7x33 is still up to the task. I think the price point fits the price point of your rifle well and it is compact and lightweight.

OP, you mention target shooting. If you want to shoot your best groups, and the gun's best groups (assuming it's as capable of delivering sub-MOA groups as most CZ rimfires are), you will need some magnification. I used to use a lot of 3-9x scopes, but over the past 10 years or so I've gotten to the point that they just aren't satisfactory for any gun that I'll be using for target shooting. To the point that I've sold most of my Weaver, Clearidge, and Leupold 2-7s and 3-9s because I just don't use them anymore. This is because almost every time I have a rifle out, I end up shooting for maximum accuracy (or tight groups, if I'm just shooting paper), and despite whatever you might read on the internet, 9x is NOT enough magnification to shoot the groups that an accurate gun is capable of at 50 yards or greater.

I have a bunch of CZ rimfires and 16x is the lowest max power I really prefer on them, even on the sporters (though I do have a couple with the Burris Timberline 4.5-14x on them). For the guns that I'll sometimes be shooting at 100 yards (sporters or Varmint guns), I like a 6-24x, such as the Weaver V-24 or Sightron SII 6-24x42.

For the CZ rifles that are a mix of plinkers and target shooters, I like the Weaver Grand Slam 4-16x44 quite a lot (this Grand Slam is a great scope for the CZ 452 hog-back guns, and very pleasant to sight through). The 16x is a limitation at the range when the shooting gets most serious, but I can be content with it at 50 yards on guns that I also use for less serious shooting, or hunting (which usually requires relatively little magnification).

So, IMO, a critical question for you is, how much of your gun's potential do you want to be able to tap? If you don't know, I would be looking for something that goes to at least 16x on the top end.

• Target shooting, plinking and small game.
• For a "weight that fits the size of the gun."
• 50 yards max
• Teaching / fun for the kids

With those parameters I would not recommend a super high magnification scope. I would go with something lightweight and straightforward. Save the adjustable objectives, high mag, larger/heavier scopes for more specialized applications.

It would be hard to beat a Leupold. the 2-7 already recommended would be great. The VX-Freedom 2-7x33 is pretty light at 11.1 ounces too. I would add the fixed power FX-I Rimfire 4x28mm to that as it is good quality and less than half a pound (7.5 ounces).

Primary Arms has a fixed 6x with the ACSS reticle that is also pretty light (11.7 oz) and is half the cost of a Leupold. There is also a 1-6x variable rimfire ACSS scope but that is basically the same as the their SFP tactical 1-6x. At 16.9 oz it might overbalance a rimfire rifle, not to mention would be more of a challenge for smaller kids to hold steady for long -- unless of course they are exclusively shooting from a rest. And of course, depends on the exact kids you're working with (younger, older, mindset et cetera).

More generally: I get a kick out of the rimfire ACSS reticle. Instead of the "tactical reticle" that ranges against a 5'10" combatant, leads a running target at 8.6 mph et cetera, the rimfire reticle ranges against pop cans, clay pigeons, squirrels etc. That makes it more fun and loads more relevant to everyday shooting. Honestly if they made a simplified rimfire ACSS in a fixed 3x or 4x I would already have a couple of them.

aaronu said:

....More generally: I get a kick out of the rimfire ACSS reticle....

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Any of you guys try their "KISS" reticle? I have it in one of my Primary Arms tactical scopes and sure get a kick out of that. I think it would be a perfect reticle for a rimfire short-distance target shooting and plinking where you have no intention of fooling around with bullet drop or windage. Don't know offhand if they offer it in a fixed-focus scope, though.

LoonWulf said:

I've got a Simmons 4-12 ATV on my 457 right now, going to switch it for a Sightron stac I THINK.

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You are going to like the change if you make it.

ms6852 said:

You are going to like the change if you make it.

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Ive got the Stac on order, but realized it's a 30mm tube. I JUST bought 1" Talley rings for my 457, so it's getting a 6.5-20ffe1 and the Stac is either going on my 6.5 build, or on the new 28Nos I just ordered.

Midway has the Stacs on sale if anyone wants

Which S-Tac do you have?

Dont have it yet, just placed the order yesterday.
I ordered this one.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1648335683

LoonWulf said:

Dont have it yet, just placed the order yesterday.
I ordered this one.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1648335683

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I love Sightrons. I bought 4 when they first came out, they were very inexpensive but the glass was great. They are no longer in production but the models I bought were the Big Sky. Wish I had bought more than. It is a good deal on the S-Tac that midway has. I'm thinking changing the scope on my 30-06 that has the Sightron to one of my Rugers and putting the Forge on the 30-06. The Sightron reticle lends itself to the rimfire for the targets. Let me know how you like yours when you get it.

ms6852 said:

I love Sightrons. I bought 4 when they first came out, they were very inexpensive but the glass was great. They are no longer in production but the models I bought were the Big Sky. Wish I had bought more than. It is a good deal on the S-Tac that midway has. I'm thinking changing the scope on my 30-06 that has the Sightron to one of my Rugers and putting the Forge on the 30-06. The Sightron reticle lends itself to the rimfire for the targets. Let me know how you like yours when you get it.

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Yeah, I can remember looking thru a few Sightrons a while back and thinking they were REALLY nice. I haven't ever owned one, but im looking forward to getting the Stac.
If It goes on the 6.5 it will replace a Forge, which will move to the 28Nos....seems like a better fit since the Xbolt LRS is a brick of a rifle, and the 6.5s "supposed" to be light...ish.

And admittedly the 6.5-20x50 Burris is a little big for a CZ, even the bull barreled 457 I've got......but THOSE too are on sale for 200ish 'round the net, which is a damn good deal also.

LoonWulf said:

Yeah, I can remember looking thru a few Sightrons a while back and thinking they were REALLY nice. I haven't ever owned one, but im looking forward to getting the Stac.
If It goes on the 6.5 it will replace a Forge, which will move to the 28Nos....seems like a better fit since the Xbolt LRS is a brick of a rifle, and the 6.5s "supposed" to be light...ish.

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The Forge will be a good match for the 28 Nosler. With the 2 moa reticle it makes for quick follow up shots for windage and elevation.

LoonWulf said:

And admittedly the 6.5-20x50 Burris is a little big for a CZ, even the bull barreled 457 I've got......but THOSE too are on sale for 200ish 'round the net, which is a damn good deal also.

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I would have loved this Burris scope but the internal adjustments in elevation would not have gotten me out to 200 yards with only 30 moa of adjustment.